Most of us try to limit our consumption of chocolate, but did you know that certain chocolates can actually benefit your health? Of course, processed forms of chocolate, such as candy bars, can negatively impact your health, so we don’t recommend the things you’ll find in the checkout lines at the stores. If you want to relieve stress and anxiety in your life, however, hot chocolate made with high-quality ingredients, such as fresh cacao, can do wonders for your well-being.
Plus, winter is in full swing in most parts of the country, so why not make a nice piping cup of hot chocolate to warm your soul on those bitterly cold nights? We’ll talk more about how to make the hot chocolate below, and what sort of benefits you can expect from it.
How to Make Calming Hot Chocolate to Relieve Stress and Anxiety
Even though most hot chocolate contains unhealthy, hidden ingredients, you won’t have to worry about that with this nutrient-packed beverage. You also won’t have to deal with insulin spikes from added sugars, which most packaged hot chocolate will have if you look at the back of the box. Plus, the warming effects of drinking the hot chocolate will help you relax you before you call it a night.
The drink contains healthy fats to stabilize your blood sugar, which will help keep anxiety and insomnia at bay. In addition to providing a source of healthy fats, the raw cacao in the recipe contains magnesium, which helps to induce relaxation. Not to mention, many people lack this vitally important mineral, and not many would object to getting their magnesium in such a delicious way! Plus, the spices, a blend of cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg, have anti-inflammatory compounds that can reduce anxiety and stress while adding a lot of flavor to your nighttime beverage.
Also, let’s not forget the countless studies that definitively link dark chocolate consumption with lower stress levels and higher feelings of happiness. In fact, one study found that daily consumption of 40g of dark and/or milk chocolate reduced feelings of stress in females. The response of the adrenal gland, which produces cortisol, was much less, and the researchers concluded that the consumption of dark chocolate helped to buffer the brain’s response to stress.
Without further ado, let’s go over exactly how to make your calming cup of hot cocoa for yourself.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk (or whatever type of milk you prefer)
- 1 tablespoon cacao
- One teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ghee (or whatever kind of butter you’d like)
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Pinch of nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- 1 tablespoon collagen
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Related article: How To Hypnotize Yourself in 15 Minutes for Stress and Anxiety Relief
Preparation of the hot chocolate
The only part of the recipe that requires heating is the almond milk, so pour it into a pot and heat until boiling. Then, stir in all other ingredients, pour in a mug, and enjoy!
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